Twist in No.7 battle as Kangaroos’ glaring flaw exposed; contender’s brutal call – Talking Pts

A frontrunner has emerged to accompany Cameron Munster in the halves for Australia as a glaring issue exposed itself during the Kangaroos’ win over Fiji.

Meanwhile, Tonga face a brutal selection call with the return of superstar halfback Isaiya Katoa.

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And elsewhere, Samoa’s secret weapon has been revealed if they have any chance to topple Australia and New Zealand.

Here, foxsports.com.au looks at the biggest talking points from the second week of the World Cup!

DEARDEN OR WALKER? WHO WEARS NO.7 JERSEY?

Australian Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters faces a major selection headache after the nation’s unconvincing performance against Fiji.

While Cameron Munster appears set to wear the No.6 jersey for the Kangaroos, the battle for the halfback spot remains wide open with Sam Walker and Tom Dearden both contending for the same role.

According to CODE Sports reporter Peter Badel, the Roosters halfback has done enough to put himself in the box seat.

Meanwhile, Dearden struggled to make the same impression.

“Kevvie needs to sort out his No.7. I think Cameron Munster comes back in next week on the left side at No.6. I think the points are with Sam Walker,” Badel said on Channel Seven.

“I thought Tom Dearden was disappointing, a bit clunky. I just thought Sam Walker had better moments.

“The halves are where he really needs to bend down before the semi-finals and I think Sam Walker on some of his touches tonight has done enough for the No.7 jumper

The verdict puts further pressure on the Kangaroos coach, but Walters remains tight-lipped about who will partner Munster in the halves.

“They combined well. I thought Sammy had a really good game and Tommy was in and out of the game,” he said on Channel Seven after the match.

“It was one of those games where there wasn’t too much flow.

“Anyway, we came here to win and we got that, so plenty to work on as well

Speaking on Channel Seven, former NRL fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen also weighed in on the debate and suggested Walters must decide by next week, as the uncertainty is affecting the halves as they try to find their rhythm.

“You want to play your best footy in the Australian jersey and best footy in general when you’re out there, but I think that might be playing on some of their minds,” Papenhuyzen said.

“Sammy Walker looked good and Dearden looked a little bit clunky.

“I think the halfback takes control in these situations and when the game pans out like this, the five-eighth doesn’t get the opportunity they usually would.

“It’s a hard one. I don’t know what they do with the halfback position, but either one you’d be happy with and they’d both do a role.”

Luke Keary echoed the need for Walters to decide sooner rather than later, warning the coach must settle on his strongest spine combination before the semi-final.

“The big Sammy Walker, Tommy Dearden, Cam Munster, how that looks is going to be fascinating because Kevvie’s got to decide probably by next week,” he said.

“What is my strongest combination? One, seven, six, and nine, and stick with it.”

KANGAROOS’ GLARING ISSUE EXPOSED

Kevin Walters has a big problem on his hands.

While his looming fullback and halves calls shape as crucial decisions, league legend Luke Keary highlighted another glaring issue for Australia after a disappointing display against Fiji.

He believes the Kangaroos coach must overhaul his right edge after the combination of David Fifita, Kotoni Staggs and Tom Trbojevic were consistently troubled by Fiji’s attack.

Fiji’s first try came through Semi Valemei, with Trbojevic caught infield as the former Cowboys winger surged onto a beautiful Kurt Donoghoe cut-out pass.

Valemei also scored two more to complete his hattrick, while Solomone Saukuru was also denied after slicing straight through a gaping hole.

“That right edge needs to be fixed up very quickly,” Keary said at the start of the second half during Channel 7’s coverage, with Fiji on the charge.

“David Fifita, Kotoni Staggs, Tom Trbojevic, something needs to be done.”

He doubled down 10 minutes later, once again highlighting the issue he urged Walters to fix.

“Walters has to make a chance here, he needs to bring Staggs off, Trbojevic off, bring Latrell on at that right centre spot,” Keary said.

Walters resisted a substitution and Trbojevic scored a try to level the scores in the 47th minute, crossing the line twice more.

While Australia surged away in the end, the damage was already done.

For the remainder of the World Cup, rival teams will almost certainly plan to send traffic down the Kangarooos’ vulnerable edge unless Walters makes a change.

Mitchell and Staggs were Australia’s first choice centres against the Kiwis, with the Rabbitohs superstar riding the pine in their second outing.

Staggs was sent to the sin bin for a professional foul in that clash and he managed only 46 running metres to go with two errors in a display that left much to be desired.

Then against Fiji, Staggs tallied 45 running metres, one error and 10 tackles to go with a try.

Trbojevic, meanwhile, scored an intercept try against the Kiwis to go with his hattrick, proving to be a lethal threat close to the line.

Interestingly, the Sea Eagles star also began drifting to the left edge in a free-roaming role as he had previously done for the Blues during Brad Fittler’s time at the helm.

He was quizzed on the tactic post-match, saying: “It was something that comes naturally to me, being a fullback that’s what we do. Happy to play wherever in this jersey, but we have a bit of work to do”.,

Mitchell looks likely to be in Walters’ best side come the World Cup finals and with Staggs on the chopping block, Bradman Best shapes as the Kangaroos other centre option.

However, both Mitchell and Best both play on the left edge in clubland, causing a further headache for Australian selectors.

Meanwhile, Liam Martin looks likely to slot back into the back row, with the Panthers gun being a battle-hardened defender.

HAVE THE BULLDOGS FOUND BURTON’S REPLACEMENT?

On Friday evening, Canterbury Bulldogs GM of Football Phil Gould confirmed Matt Burton had been granted permission to explore options with rivals before he officially becomes a free agent on November 1.

The development has thrown Burton’s future at Belmore into further doubt, with the NSW Blues representative already linked with a host of teams including the Eels, Panthers and Perth Bears.

With Burton unlikely to remain at the club beyond 2027, the Bulldogs will be on the lookout for a new halves partner for Lachlan Galvin.

Less than a couple of hours after news of Burton’s future hit, young gun Alex Conti produced a clinic in the World Cup, emerging as a potential option to partner Galvin in the halves and allowing Stephen Crichton to shift back to the centres.

Although Conti’s Lebanon were defeated 36-0 by Tonga, he stole the show and was one of the Cedars’ shining lights even after his halves partner Khaled Rajab was ruled out early in the opening half with injury.

Rather than going into his shell, he stood up and took control of his side’s attack with his expert kicking and passing game.

He also made five tackle breaks, the third most of any player during the match, which is nearly unheard of from a halfback.

“I thought he improved from last week again,” Lebanon Michael Cheika said.

“It’s not easy for us. We haven’t played a game since the World Cup last time.

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“So how do I get Conti a game where he can start to be that guy? So he’s had one now against PNG, he’s got another one now which shows him off a little bit better.

“He should be happier with that performance. And I was really pleased with him. He’s a good young player.

“I don’t want to rap him up too much because when they get rapped up too much it puts heat on them that they don’t need.

“Just grow and develop and play your footy when it comes to you, and he did that tonight.”

Lebanon skipper and NRL veteran Alex Twal also praised Conti, who will challenge with Mitchell Woods to become the club’s long-term No.7.

However, he didn’t want to talk up the youngster too much having seen plenty of players fall victim to the hype in the past.

“He’s a really humble kid and he came into the camp with the right attitude,” Twal said.

“We’ve got an all-stars coaching team in ‘Kingy’ (assistant coach Matt King) and ‘Cheik’, and he was all ears from the get-go.

“And to be honest, he came out tonight and it showed a lot of character because last week was a tough performance, and for him to come out tonight and attack the game the way he did (was great).

“But like Cheik said, you don’t want to rap him up too early. He still has a lot of footy to play to get to where he wants to be, but I’m very proud that he’s Lebanese.”

COOK ISLANDS STAR’S HUGE NRL AUDITION

Remember the name — Esom Ioka.

The Cook Islands star put his name up in lights on Sunday after he scored a stellar eight-minute hattrick on the wing against New Zealand.

Not only were the Kiwis cruising with a 12-0 lead after nine minutes, but Ioka’s first try was well and truly against the run of play and sparked a short-lived surge for his side.

The 23-year-old’s first try came after an intercept from a Keano Kini tip-on, surging away for a 90-metre try before his third was incredibly similar, albeit 50 metres shorter.

“I want to highlight Esom Ioka right there, like any good winger, if your centre goes in to jam you have to follow… great work, that will lift the Cook Island side,” Blake Ayshford said on Channel 7 following his first four-pointer.

But his second try proved Ioka could have what it takes to play a role for an NRL side, given he held his wing to perfection, finding space in behind a first grade star in Ronaldo Mulitalo.

Brad Takairangi’s kick was placed perfectly, but Ioka did an excellent job to claim the kick and score with Mulitalo looming large.

“12-0 down, we thought the Kiwis were surging… Esom Ioka, he has a different mindset here. The brilliance to be there in that passing lane and come up with it,” Ayshford said.

“The belief in this team, you can see it.”

Ioka is no stranger to the NRL, having previously spent time with the Cowboys first grade squad and Cook Islands coach Karmichael Hunt hinted bigger things were afoot for his flyer.

“Especially against the Kiwis, we spoke about the opportunity we had in front of us which was once in a lifetime,” Hunt said.

“Some of these boys might not be able to play on the big stage.

“For him to go out there and score the three tries in quick succession… some of the stories from my team out there, they are going to get a lot of belief in their ability.

“Who knows what the future holds for some of them.”

Ioka joined the Brisbane Tigers in the Queensland Cup this year and enjoyed his best season to date, spending the full campaign on the wing.

The talented flyer tallied 22 tries in 21 games, which dwarfed the 17 tries he had scored in his previous 52 reserve grade appearances.

He could be a handy pick up for an NRL squad lacking depth in the outside backs, proving he has a nose for the try line against a stacked team like the Kiwis.

However, it remains to be seen if he will feature in his team’s final World Cup clash against Australia after picking up an injury.

“Looks like he has done something to his calf… the form that he was in, we were sad not to see him out there playing footy for us,” Hunt explained.

BRUTAL SELECTION CALL LOOMS FOR TONGA

Tonga were able to record a dominant victory against Lebanon on Friday night to put them in the box seat for a semi-final spot, but there’s no doubt coach Kristian Woolf would have left wanted more.

In fairness, Tonga were without star halfback Isaiya Katoa, who was ruled out with an ankle injury.

While Tui Lolohea (three try assists) and Latu Fainu were solid in the halves, Tonga need Katoa if they want to contest for a World Cup trophy.

Katoa is expected to return next weekend for the blockbuster against Samoa according to journalist Dave Riccio.

“They know how influential he is and there was no point in pressuring is ankle because it has been aggravated for a number of week now,” Riccio said on Channel 7.

“He was sat out and they got through it, but ultimately, he will be back for the next game.”

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Without Katoa, Tonga left plenty of points out on the field.

According to former NRL prop Aaron Woods, Katoa will sharpen them up when the halfback returns.

“He’s the key, he’s that piece of the puzzle they need,” Woods said.

“They did score 36 points but they did miss a lot of opportunities. He straightens up their attack, he gets them to certain points of the field and then he will isolate defenders to get the likes of Haumole Olokau’atu and Leka Halasmia some big opportunities.

“You need him to get them their opportunities.

“He’s one person that unlocks Haumole. I feel like Kaota is the one to unlock him,” superstar outside back Roger Tuivasa-Sheck added.

“Maybe it was just a rest and the coach is giving everyone a run because it’s a big campaign.”

In addition to Katoa, Tonga are expected to make other changes to their line up for the Samoa clash.

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is in a battle with Sione Katoa for the right wing spot while Paul Alamoti likely drops out when Rob Toia returns.

“Three doesn’t go into two,” Andrew Voss said in commentary.

“I think Fifita has sown up the left side. Watene-Zalezniak of Sione Katoa on the right so there’s a number of calls.”

“Robert Toia will come back into the side at right centre, Koula has left centre sown up with Hopoate at fullback.”

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THE EXPLOSIVE ‘GAME CHANGER’ POWERING SAMOA’S TITLE BID

Since making his NRL debut in 2019, Spencer Leniu has built a reputation as one of rugby league’s most explosive forwards.

After playing a key role in the Roosters’ Grand Final win over the Newcastle Knights, where he was one of the best players on the field, Leniu has carried that form onto the international stage.

During that match, he was instrumental in turning the tide for the Roosters, despite reports earlier that week that he could have been an unused interchange bench player.

“When Leniu came on in the 30th minute, the fortunes turned for the Roosters,” Immortal Andrew Johns said on Channel Nine after this year’s Grand Final.

“They won field position and he came up with big runs. He’s had a massive impact, he’s used to these games, he’s been here before … what an impact he has had.”

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A similar story unfolded on Saturday afternoon at the 2026 Rugby League World Cup in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

With Samoa trailing 6-4 inside the opening half after an early scare from the Kumuls, coach Ben Gardiner injected Leniu into the clash, and he immediately made his presence felt.

Scoring a try – and coming close to securing a double – Leniu also had 166 running metres and ten tackle busts, with his 38-minute performance changing the momentum of the contest.

Gardiner described Leniu as “phenomenal” as he gave his national side a 28-6 lead before returning to the interchange bench midway through the second half.

“It was game-changing,” Samoan coach Ben Gardiner said

While his impact against the Kumuls was undeniable, his value to Samoa could become even more significant as the tournament progresses into the finals.

If Samoa are to challenge Australia and New Zealand for the World Cup trophy, he will need to use his explosiveness in the middle to lift the side.

It comes as the nation came agonisingly close to lifting the trophy in 2022 before failing to defeat the Kangaroos in the World Cup final.

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THE KIWIS NEW ‘CULT HERO’

Kiwis enforcer Tanner Stowers-Smith scored a double against the Cook Islands on Sunday, continuing his stellar year as a genuine emerging star.

The Warriors gun cemented his spot in Andrew Webster’s middle rotation this season, playing 21 games and making some important contributions off the bench.

He earned his Test debut in Round 2 of the World Cup and it was fitting his first New Zealand appearance came in his home town of Christchurch after both Moses Leota and Naufahu Whyte were rested.9

The love for the hardy prop was clear when Stowers-Smith waved to the crowd after being substituted, with the fans responding with raucous applause.

“What an ocassion for him to make his debut in his home town,” Stacey Jones said in his post-match press conference.

“It was special for him to get his jersey presentation from his family yesterday, he can become a bit of a cult hero the way he plays the game.”

New Zealand skipper was the man taking the field as Stowers-Smith came off — and he couldn’t believe the reception.

“It was a pretty special moment, as he went off I was going on… I thought he killed it today, came on and brought the energy,” Fisher-Harris said.

“Obviously he got a double. I don’t think he scored the whole NRL season, so I am pretty happy for him. But he played really good both ends of the ball.”

But as soon as Fisher-Harris finished praising his teammates, head coach Jones made sure to highlight just how influential the Warriors captain has been on the rising prop.

Alongside Fisher-Harris, Leota and Whyte have won a stack of NRL premierships, while Erin Clark and Joseph Tapine also have a wealth of rugby league experience.

So spending time amongst one of the strongest forward packs the game has ever seen could see Stowers-Smith take his game to a new level next season in clubland.

“I think there’s a bit of credit for this bloke too,” Jones said.

“Like what he has done for Tanner at the Warriors and then getting him around this environment as well.

“The experience Tanner gets from Fish and Joey Taps (Tapine), you know it’s real good experience for him.”